Reasons Why Store Buyers Might Reject Handmade Products
So you are looking to jump into the wholesale arena with your handmade products. Congratulations on your move to a new sales venue with your business! But before you rush into the first gift shop clutching your beautiful handcrafted creation, there are several points you need to consider before presenting your products to store buyers. Selling gift products to retailers is not as difficult as it seems. But you need to measure your products with the following reasons why handcrafted items may be rejected by gift store buyers.
First Five Reasons Why Stores Reject Handmade Products
- Product(s) are not unique enough. Gift stores are always looking for new and
unique products. If similar products are selling at consignment or craft fairs, they are not likely to sell well in their stores. - Not a good product for wholesaling. Although gift stores are interested in unique products, they want to be able to buy 6 or 12 of an item and have them look reasonably similar. If your craft is so unique that you cannot make several of the same items, it probably is not a good product for wholesaling. Galleries may be a better option for you.
- Pricing is not appropriate for gift shops. Most gift store buyers ‘keystone’ or double the wholesale price of a product they retail in their stores. If you are selling your items on your website to the public for $10, don’t expect the gift stores to buy them for any more than $5. Retail shops need to make money too! (If you are struggling with this, you might want to check out my mini e-guide: How to Price Your Products)
- Product(s) look too homemade. If you are making a simple sewn type craft item, for example, like a copy of a gift your grandma made for you, it is not likely to be a good bet for a gift shop. It may be cute, but if it looks homemade, a store is not likely to buy it. The same principles apply to your product packaging: If it is too ‘homespun’, it probably will not interest a gift store buyer. Appearance is everything to a gift shop!
- Sales material lacks professionalism. Sales materials need to be clean and crisp with pricing, pictures, terms, and information pertinent to the buyers. Unfortunately, gift store buyers don’t have time to read all about the history of your business or how great your product is. They want quick and precise information that is clear and easy to understand. (If you are struggling with this, you might want to check out my mini e-guide: Create Sales Materials that Sell
Last 5 tips coming soon …
